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Sunday, December 23, 2012

I took this picture with my kindle today.
Good news, I have a kindle and now can catch up on reading my favorite blogs!
Bad news, this is the best attempt at a blog post in weeks. Keep your expectations low because these two chubs and their brother aren't slowing down any time soon.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Woke up around 6:30.
Snacked on some cereal (Cheer-o's) and watched some Caillou on the computer while waking up.

Asked for cake for breakfast and had a doughnut (closest I could come up with).
Had both you aunts present at the same time. Aunt Lindsay was here helping with your sisters. Aunt Lindy was doing her laundry.
Played with the dog Lindy was watching for a friend. You were so excited (and kind of bossy), "Puppy, puppy!"

Took a nap, a little over 2 hours.

Had Nutella toast for dinner.

Played outside with Aunt Lindy for a while.

Ran errands with Dad when he got home from school. You went to the grocery store (in town) and Dollar General.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Our first family outing (with Grandma Barb).. a Creighton basketball game. We had four free tickets, but luckily when we got there, someone offered us seven. We needed the extra space for the car seats and all the other crap we had to haul with us. The girls were 5 weeks old and the hour drive was the most stressful part. Mason was in awe, Elliot was overstimulated, and Finnley slept the whole time.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

All three kids had a well check appointment yesterday. I thought it was a bit chaotic, but I imagine it'll only get more so as time goes on. I better mentally prepare myself. Luckily my sister-in-law went with us to help out (thanks, Lindsay!). I'm having a hard time imaging leaving the house without a third person with us, let alone just me and the kids. Maybe in a couple years?

You may not know this (since I have yet to complete and publish my birth story), but Elliot weighed 5lbs, 4oz at birth and Finnley weighed 5lbs, 9oz. At the appointment yesterday, Elliot was 9lbs, 14oz and Finnley was 10lbs, 8oz. At 6 weeks, I'd say they are definitely thriving (and what feels like eating constantly).
Mason weighed in at 28lbs and didn't want anything to do with the whole appointment. When his sisters were getting checked out on, he showed genuine concern and was worried they were going to be hurt. We have an amazing PA though, so she reassured him.

Tyler commented at the end of our hurrah, "Thank goodness we don't have to do this again any time soon." Yeah, not for another month....

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Sorry to leave you all hanging, but I kinda just had twins and busy has taken on a whole new meaning. I ended up having an emergency c-section for very good reasons. So, between healing from that, exclusively breastfeeding the girls, trying to spend time with Mason, and trying to catch up on sleep I haven't had much free time!
I hope to get around to posting a birth story with all the details and have taken plenty of pictures to share. Finnley and Elliot are pretty easy going babies compared to Mason, but there are two of them. Even though they are identical, they have their differences.
Finnley poops a lot and HATES diaper changes. She likes to be held upright, prefers to not have her arms swaddled, and doesn't enjoy pacifiers at this time.
Elliot likes to lay horizontally. She is the smaller of the two, enjoys being swaddled, likes pacifiers, and prefers not to be set down.
I haven't had any issues with mixing the two up, but if you don't see them all day long it can be hard to see the differences. It will be interesting to see if they start to look more alike as they start to chub up.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Here's the list of guesses you all made. It was fun to go through and see what everyone is thinking. Some have missed their date (including me!), but lots of you still have a chance on picking the right birthday.

Monday, September 24, 2012

I am continuing to find fun (frugal) things for Mason and I to do during the day. I saw this idea a while ago and finally got around to purchasing some shaving cream (AKA I sent Tyler to the store) so we could do some painting. We brought out the trusty muffin tin and some dye and got to playing. At first Mason was really disappointed because it wasn't baking soda and vinegar (which he can't get enough of), but soon found it fun. Not much actual painting happened and it took a rather messy/watery turn, but the entertainment lasted for over an hour. He was really into it, like unresponsive when you talked to him and super focused. We'll probably do it again someday.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I wasn't sure if I'd make it to 36 weeks or not and here I am! Plus 3 days, in fact. We had our last ultrasound at the 34 week mark, got this picture of Baby A. We think he/she looks just like Mason. Although we really didn't want ultrasounds, it is neat to have a picture like this. Quite amazing.
My belly has never been this big. Yesterday at our appointment, my fundal height was 42 cm! In fact, it grew 2 cm in just a week. Those babies just keep growing, which is of course awesome.
Their heart beats are great, they are still moving around in there, and Baby A is locked and loaded head down. No switching positions for him/her. So trial of labor is a go!

At my 35 week appointment they did the GBS swab (negative, yay!) and since he was already down there he decided to check me since my contractions had been a little more crampy lately. I was dilated to 1cm and 50% effaced. Yesterday I was 2-3 cm and about 60% effaced. These numbers don't really mean anything in regards to when I will go into labor, but making a little progress before actual labor starts is always encouraging.

People always wonder how I'm feeling and while I certainly am not the most comfortable I've ever been, I really do feel blessed with how this pregnancy has treated me and how far it has come. I sleep horribly at night, waking up every 45 minutes to switch sides. My hips hurt so bad when I "roll over" I want to cry. I have some sciatic nerve pain at times and my belly is definitely getting heavy. Those are the major things that make me uncomfortable. But I feel like I could handle being pregnant for at least 2 more weeks. My husband may not agree with that statement.

Hoping to make it to 37 weeks! Then it is time to get the show on the road so they'll be out before we have to make them!

Friday, September 14, 2012

As most of you know, I ended up having a c-section with Mason after a long labor. It was not ideal, nor the way I had planned his birth, but that is what happened. I felt crappy for it ending that way and have ever since come up with things I could have done differently. But you can't go back and do things over. Certain things happen so you can learn from them.

Totally not how I imagined our first family photo.

I have been thinking about and researching a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) pretty much since Mason turned 2 months old. When we found out we were expecting again, I was so excited to get a second chance to have a natural birth! However, when we found out we would be having not one, but two babies, I felt like all my dreams/research/expectations were slowly being flushed down the toilet. So many factors come in to play when it comes to delivering twins vaginally; add in the previous c-section and you get about 50% success rate.

Top 5 Reasons I Do Not Want a Repeat Cesarean:1. Considering any medical reasons not to, a vaginal delivery is the safest way for baby to be born. The whole coming out of the birth canal, getting the fluid squeezed out of the lungs is important as is the microbe exposure.2. It is also safest for me. Complications from cesarean delivery are very common, from infections to serious blood loss. I was lucky my last c-section went fine, but there is no guarantee the outcome would be the same again for me.3. I want the babies to be born into a peaceful environment, in a gentle way. Imagine yourself all comfy in a dark place you've become very familiar with and feel safe in for the past 9 months. Suddenly, someone grabs you (by the legs, arm, head, whatever) and pulls you out into a cold room with extremely bright lights. Those are not the first moments I want our babies to have. I want to be able to touch and comfort my babies right after they are born, not have my arms tied down, listening to helpless wails.4. The long hospital stay. We were in the hospital after Mason was born for 4 days. It wasn't so bad. Kind of like staying in a hotel, I guess. The liquid diet sucked, but I don't think I ever changed a diaper til I got home! This time around is different. Mason will not be staying at the hospital with me and it will be our first time separated over night. Things will be changing enough for the little guy, I don't want to add extended stay away from mom to the list.5. The healing process. I know that no matter how you give birth, there is some healing involved. I'm going to go out on a limb and say having your abdomen sliced open is the less pleasant choice. The weight restrictions, no climbing stairs, taking it easy for the first 6 weeks is longer then I want to devote to my healing. I want to be able to pick Mason up, sleep in my own bedroom, and do regular everyday things I couldn't do if I was healing from a section.

Taking that suture tape off freaked me out, like I could just yank and my scar would burst open. I basically left it on until it started to peel off on it's own.

All that being said, I am still mentally preparing myself for such an outcome. It didn't even cross my mind while pregnant with Mason that a c-section was an option and I think that is why it has been so hard to accept. Now, I picture both scenarios, because it could totally happen.

If the presenting baby is not head down, automatic c-section. Luckily (so far) Baby A's head is locked and loaded. Baby B is still trying to make up his/her mind on what position to be in. My doctor will turn the second baby or preform a footling breech extraction if needed, so Baby B can be however he/she wishes. However, if Baby B gets his/her butt down far enough and can't be turned, we'd be looking at a double whammy (1 vaginal birth + 1 c-section), yikes!

Since I will be attemping a VBAC, the babies have to be constantly monitored. Should they show any sign of distress, my doctor will likely call a c-section due to the risk of uterine rupture.

The babies will need to be born by the 38th week gestation. They share a placenta and the risk of intrauterine death due to the faster aging of that placenta really starts to go up after week 36. If I do not go into labor by then, I will be choosing a c-section. This is only because my other option would be induction and since I have the c-section scar, my risk of uterine rupture would double in this Pitocin-induced scenario. That scares me. Uterine ruptures aren't usually (if ever) fatal for the mom, but if the scar comes completely open and a baby is forced into mom's abdominal cavity, they most likely will die. Although very rare, this is jut not a risk I am comfortable taking.

Our goal, obviously, is two healthy babies being born in the safest way possible. While it will not be the minimal intervention-natural birth I was dreaming of, it will be the best experience I make of it. I know in the end, those two babies will be worth whatever comes our way in the birth process.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Sometimes Mason doesn't go down for a nap easily. Today was one of those days. He tries to stay awake as long as possible and it totally ends in major meltdown and needing to cuddle with the weirdest things in order to fall asleep. Before it has been cracker boxes, a half eaten cookie, a huge board book with really sharp corners.. random, not comfortable things to sleep with.
Today was no different. He HAD to have his hand in the bag of raisins. He couldn't hold the bag or just touch it. His hand had to be in the sticky bag. So when I laid him down on the bed (asleep), he rolled over a couple times and raisins were now all over the bed. It was really silly, I had to laugh and take a couple pictures.

When he was really, truly out, I took the bag and set it at the foot of the bed. And, you know, the instant he woke up, he wanted the bag back by golly! So silly.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

I'm now 34 1/2 weeks along and I think it would be fun to have you all guess when the babies will make their appearance, along with other fun stats. Here's some info to help you make your guess.
My official due date is October 14th, most twins are born between 35 and 37 weeks.
If I'm still pregnant at 38 weeks, the babies will likely be born the 1st of 2nd of October via c-section.
At our ultrasound yesterday, Baby A weighed 4lbs 6oz and Baby B weighed 4lbs 10oz. Of course these are just estimates and they could truly be off by a pound in either direction. Baby A is head down, way down, and Baby B is breech.
My fundal height is 39cm. Lots of people have commented lately about how low my belly looks and say "Any day now!".. of course they have no idea there are two in there.
My blood pressure is excellent. I have no swelling. I am medically having a great twin pregnancy.
Of course I have awful acid reflux, my hips hurt sooo bad at night, and Baby A's head is now grinding on my cervix every once and a while.

Alright, so here's what you should guess.1. Birthday(s).2. Birth times.3. Weights.4. Lengths.5. Gender!
You can guess more things like hair color (because they do have hair!), how they will be born, basically anything you want. It is all just for fun anyway!

OK, your turn! Even if you aren't one to comment, you should try it. I am excited to hear everyone's guesses. If you don't want to comment here, leave me your guess on Facebook!
I'll of course let you know who is closest when they are born.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

My blogging friend recently posted about trying out a little science experiment with her son {here}. It looked like something new and interesting to try, so we did today. We grabbed a muffin tin, a wet measuring cup, the baking soda, the vinegar, and some food coloring and headed out to the deck. All I had to do was dump a little baking soda in each of the muffin tin holes and put some vinegar in the measuring cup (a little at a time) and we were occupied for a good 30+ minutes. For a toddler (mine, at least) that is a pretty good chunk of time.

Mason absolutely loved this. Every time he poured the vinegar and it made the bubbles, he said "Whoa.."

We added some food coloring, that way we could talk about the colors.

It got pretty messy, I'm glad we were outside. Mason didn't want to stop this experiment, but unfortunately we ran out of vinegar (something that rarely happens in our house). So, we will have to make a trip to the store and try it again someday soon. This was such an easy little "project" to do and clean up. We just dumped some water on the table when we were done to wash everything away. Hopefully I can scrounge around and find more fun (and frugal) things for us to try soon.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

I suppose it is time I let you see the progress of our house. We did move in over 8 months ago, so.. here's the living room.

Before..

Now..

I would have picked up the clutter, but that is just crazy talk, there is always something laying around. We just switched a dresser the TV was sitting on for that shelf so we need to adjust the picture being covered up yet. You may also notice the picture frames above the couch are only half filled--totally normal here.

We plan on getting new (to us) couches soon, just haven't found the right ones. As for the very stained carpet, that will be here for a while. Tyler wants to replace it sooner, but right before adding two babies.. um.. not sure how long new carpet would stay stain free.

We are doing some moving around of rooms and rearranging before the twins arrive, so maybe someday soon I will share another room with you!

P.S. I'm missing one view of the living room, but only because that would totally spoil the kitchen reveal.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

All three of us are still growing. Yesterday was our ultrasound and doctor appointment, good news all around. Baby A is 3lbs 12 oz, Baby B is 3lbs 10oz. They've gained almost a pound since our last ultrasound! They've also done some shifting around in there. B is no longer head down, but A is. B is butt down in a V somewhat at the top of my uterus. It is definitely getting crowded. The ultrasound reveals arms and legs everywhere in a jumbled mess.

My belly measured 38cm and I've now gained a total of 27 pounds. So not going to gain as much as I want, but at least the babies are growing well. Our doctor informed us that we need to come in twice a week now for non-stress tests and our jaws dropped. We drive a good hour to the doctor and are trying to save as many days as possible for Tyler to take off after the babies are born, this is just not convenient.. not to mention the price of gas! Long story short, we are putting those tests off since the specialist that saw us after our ultrasound feels very good about the growth and activity of the babies. However, we know what is right around the corner.

About a week ago, I woke up in the morning and felt great. I looked in the mirror and thought I looked smaller. You can kind of see in the picture that my belly has gotten lower and I think it is because the babies shifted around in there. That great day only lasted for, well, that day, but it was nice.

We now have weekly appointments which is a sign of the end/beginning coming. We have a few more diapers to purchase, a car seat, and a few other items left on the list. I also have to write up our birth plan, which I didn't do with Mason, but our doula gave us some a good resource on creating a plan with multiples so that shouldn't be too hard.